Ari ♫ ♪ ♬ (gracenotes) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-01-16 23:46:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, aisling wilde, arielle chiaro |
Who: Ari & Ash
What: A little conversation
Where: The Theatre District
When: Backdated: 1/3
Rating: PG-13 because Ash
Status: Complete!
Ari generally liked to take a few months between shows, but the call of the Founders’ Play (and the adulation -- and healthy paycheck -- that came with it) was strong; weeks after the gala, back she went to the cycle of auditions even as she eyed the spring operas (surely, she reasoned, she did not have to skip the first shows of the season for the play this time, and she could take the summer off that way…). This afternoon saw her leaving the guildhall laden down with folders, her harp case, her mandolin, and a large, half-empty thermos of coffee (it was, to put it mildly, freezing outside, and the hot liquid had helped to warm her up in time to put in a rather decent audition, all in all, for someone whose fingers were numb with cold). She stepped out into the blustery day, adjusting the hood of her cloak against the snow that had started to sprinkle down. Food, she determined, would be a necessity -- and after that, home, a blanket, and perhaps a flagon of mulled wine from downstairs and company. That would warm her up quickly enough. Some of the street buskers were out regardless of the weather -- and this sort of thing was one of the many reasons she did not miss that lifestyle -- and from among them emerged a woman in a burgundy cloak. Her smooth way of moving and the flash of blonde hair as she approached were enough to identify her -- as she turned her head towards the guildhall’s doors, Ari raised her hand and waved at her occasional colleague. It wasn’t difficult to recognize Arielle - she didn’t know many people who wore such bright colors on the regular - so she waved back and changed course. It wasn’t like she had anything important to do. She’d only been on her way to pick up a costume for a special performance at Ruby. Some noble with too much gil to burn had decided to rent the damn place out for an hour and have the performers dance around in chocobo costumes. Fucking weird, but he paid good money for the privacy, and she was willing to bet that he would tip just as nicely. Besides, she hadn’t had a chance to talk to Chiaro about her flaming friend, not that she was going to do that in a crowded street. It hadn’t seemed like something Chiaro wanted to talk about, so she wasn’t going to broadcast anything. She still hadn’t told Cian and she wasn’t sure if she was going to or not - it really wasn’t her secret to tell, but they were still feeding information to Reinholdt, and this seemed like something that the Spy Master would want to know. For now, though, she’d keep the bard’s secret. “What’s up?” she asked when she was close enough. “Just saying hello,” Ari replied, her smile easy. True, she had made a point of avoiding anyone who had been in that cave with her (easier with some than with others), but she was quite skilled at acting as though she wasn’t the least concerned, and anyway, it was a month ago now, and there had been quite a lot happening all at once. No one had called her out yet. Perhaps she was lucky and it had slipped everyone’s mind. “I haven’t seen you since the gala, and then -- well, you know.” She shook her head. “Half dressed, flailing for wardrobe assistance, attempting to consume the largest possible variety of appetizers in the intermission… or at least, that’s what I was doing.” Ash shook her head. She’d spent intermission talking to Sasaki and then wondering why the fuck she’d been talking to Sasaki. “Can’t say I was eating. Anyway, how’ve you been? You’ve been scarce lately.” Not that she routinely kept an eye on Chiaro, but now she was wondering if maybe she should be. Chiaro tended to stay in the spotlight and didn’t actively seek to destroy people, but who knew what the bard was planning. And hadn’t she fucked Ci? For all she knew, she’d try to have Flamsilocks burn Cian to a crisp. She wouldn’t even blame her. “Your loss; the food was rather outstanding, actually. I don’t usually get fed so well backstage,” Ari admitted with a grin. Not that Lan had seemed to want to hand her an entire tray, but she’d gotten it, in the end. To the question, she said, “I’ve been about, though I admit I took a bit of time to hibernate; I’ll be back to work soon, assuming this round of auditions bears fruit. I am hoping that if I work now, while the weather’s miserable, I can play all summer instead.” Ash, she had to imagine, didn’t have the sort of carefree schedule she herself enjoyed; very few people lived the way she chose. “And you?” She shivered then and said, “I think I’m going to start walking towards the Wren before my legs freeze off; care to join me for a coffee?” She shrugged. “Sure. Some coffee sounds good right about now.” She wasn’t too cold - her cloak was warm. Indicating that Chiaro should lead, she fell into step next to the bard. What was she even supposed to talk to her about? Unless Chiaro was going to open up a conversation about Flamesilocks, their paths didn’t often cross. Unless Miles had talked to her about an upcoming job, but she doubted it. “I hear you auditioned for a couple of shows,” she said, grasping. There had been some rumors about it - Chiaro mostly didn’t do multiple shows at a time. Ash couldn’t blame her - it was a time eater, and Chiaro seemed to hate being tied down. “News travels fast,” Ari said. “I usually do, for a few -- the best way of ascertaining at least one sticks. You remember that feeling, I suppose.” She knew Ash rarely took to the stage these days, but that hadn’t been the case once upon a time, if she recalled correctly. Hadn’t she studied with Lea? “These days, the directors seem to like me, so maybe I’ll get more than one offer.” And depending on the offers, she might even accept more than one, for a change of pace. Was it insane? She thought it might be, but the idea was percolating anyway. “It’s safer work than fighting monsters,” she added, thinking of their last encounter, “so I suppose that’s something, at least.” Ash nodded, keeping her gaze ahead. She’d been thinking about it recently - auditioning for something. She practiced daily and kept in shape, but she’d been away for so long that she wasn’t even sure if she should bother. Might not be worth it. But she remembered it. She’d auditioned for at least three roles at a time, hoping to land just one. Chiaro’s comment got a little laugh. “Hell, being a hooker is safer than that most days.” Except when fucks like Conti were prowling around. “I think most lines of work must be,” Ari said with a shake of her head. “I’ll leave the heroics to the Fighters’ Guild, I think, unless my back’s to a wall.” But the Thieves’ Guild held its own when cornered -- Ash of all people surely knew it; Ari suspected that unlike her, the other woman could very likely kill someone with her bare hands. “And speaking of the Fighters’ Guild,” she said, smirk playing across her lips, “tell me, how well can you imagine Miles Baines in full plate?” “It’d ruin his manicure.” She wasn’t sure if he got them, but it was as likely as not. Man was fastidious about his appearance, and if there was ever a man into cuticle care, it would be Miles Baines. “And the helmet would flatten his hair. He’d never get over it.” Miles wasn’t that bad - she knew quite a few bards who would freak at the thought of helmet hair - but he was always fun to rib. Fun to bed, too, but they weren’t talking about nailing the guy. Ari giggled, “The costume designer will have to build a custom helmet, to fit his big head.” She grinned then, adding, “I say this in the most loving way possible, of course.” “Of course,” Ash agreed dryly. The Wren was just up ahead now, and as soon as they got there, Ash held the door open for Chiaro to enter. It wasn’t particularly busy, so they nabbed a good table, ordered their coffee, and continued chatting. Once Ash had finished hers, she stood up and put some gil on the table. “Got a meeting in a bit,” she said by way of explanation. Let Chiaro assume what kind of meeting on her own. She had to get home and grab her folders before heading over. It hadn’t occurred to her how much time had passed. “See you around.” She gave the bard a quick nod and left the building, turning the corner and disappearing at the nearest crystal. |